The Steelers have a lot to play for this week against Carolina, and maybe your fantasy team does too. If so, the Steelers' Thursday night game against the NFL's worst team could be a matchup made in heaven. Here's a look at this week's fantasy football rankings, from ESPN.com.
Ben Roethlisberger: No. 11 among quarterbacks. Roethlisberger is worth a start this week, but let's not go overboard - about the one thing the Panthers do marginally well is guard against the pass, and I'd expect to see lots of running. Speaking of which:
Rashard Mendenhall: No. 6 among running backs. Mendenhall is a great play this week - he just had a very good game against a tough Jets defense, and he should have an easy time against Carolina, potentially with tons of opportunities if the Steelers get off to an early lead.
Mike Wallace: No. 16 among receivers. I love Wallace, who is also coming off a big game against the Jets. He's a clear start this week and he'll bring the big-play potential he always does, but will he be able to use it? Again, maybe not much, if the Steelers get off to an early lead.
Hines Ward: No. 29 among receivers. If you've owned Ward all season and haven't torn your hair out yet, maybe you should consider becoming a monk. Ward's pattern this year has been to have a big game, and then completely disappear for weeks at a time. Keep in mind, for both Wallace and Ward, that Roethlisberger targeted rookie Emmanuel Sanders about a million times against the Jets; who knows what that will mean for Wallace and Ward's opportunities going forward.
Heath Miller: No. 22 among tight ends. Miller should return this week after missing time with a concussion, but he's not a great fantasy option.
Steelers: No. 1 among defenses. The Steelers' defense plus a disaster of an offense equals the easiest slam-dunk decision you've ever had to make for your fantasy team.
Shaun Suisham: Unranked among kickers. Again, there's no reason not to start Suisham this week - he should get his opportunities against a week defense, and so far this year he's done a lot with his opportunities.